The 27-year-old who could finally fill the void left by Chris Wood at Leeds United

Leeds United’s 2017/18 campaign was a major disappointment, with the Whites failing to build on an impressive year under Garry Monk, which saw them challenge for promotion.

Of course, Monk departed Elland Road, but it was perhaps the departure of Chris Wood that hurt Leeds the most last summer.

Wood had bagged 30 goals for the Whites under Monk during the 2016/17 campaign, earning himself a £15m move to Burnley.

Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Caleb Ekuban and Jay-Roy Grot were all signed by Leeds to replace Wood in the summer, with that trio finishing with a combined total of 12 Championship goals.

Kemar Roofe top scored for the Whites with 11 Championship goals, just a third of what Wood bagged as Leeds finished seventh.

Here at FLW, one man we believe who could help Leeds finally replace Wood is Abel Hernandez, who is heading for the exit door at Hull City this summer.

The 27-year-old has been offered fresh terms at the KCOM Stadium, but he looks set to spark a transfer scramble when he leaves Hull, with the Mirror already linking Nottingham Forest with a move (12/05, 18:18).

Leeds need to be in that pack chasing his signature, even if his potential signing breaks their current wage structure.

Hernandez is on a free, which would allow Leeds some flexibility in what they could offer him weekly.

What Hernandez could offer Leeds in return is a focal point to their attack that has been missing this season.

The Uruguayan striker has scored eight goals for Hull over the last 12 months, but missed the majority of the season through injury. Without doubt, if he had stayed fit, he would’ve ended with an impressive tally.

His only other previous campaign in the Championship came back in the 2015/16 season, when his 21 goals helped Hull to promotion via the play-offs.

At 27, Hernandez is exactly what Leeds needs – a striker with pace and an eye for goal.

It’s the type of deal that Leeds have failed to make in recent years, but bringing in Hernandez on a big wage would be so beneficial to the Whites, who have been longing for a player of his calibre to lead the line since Wood’s departure.